IDF soldier critically injured in Golan exercise

Military halts drill, opens investigation into incident after tank runs over IDF infantryman, leaving him in critical condition.

MERKAVA tank 370 (photo credit: Michael Shvadron/IDF spokesperson)
MERKAVA tank 370
(photo credit: Michael Shvadron/IDF spokesperson)
An IDF tank ran over and critically wounded a Golani Brigade soldier during an exercise being held in the Golan Heights on Monday.
The soldier received first aid treatment on the scene before being evacuated to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, where he remains in critical condition.
The exercise, held jointly by infantry and the Armored Corps, has been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry into the accident. The inquiry will focus on the question of whether the soldier, from Battalion 51 of the Golani Brigade, was lying down when the tank approached, and why the tank and the soldier were unaware of one another’s location.
IDF commanders have been instructed to refresh safety guidelines for infantry soldiers operating near heavy armored vehicles.
The IDF Spokesman’s Office released a statement on Monday saying the soldier was injured in an army training zone in the Golan, adding that his family has been notified.